The 40 teams participating in the second round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup now know where they stand and who to face after the official draw in Cairo on Tuesday.
The men in charge of leading African teams seemed satisfied with the draw, which has set up exciting games on the road to Qatar.
Some coaches, however, have been talking about their sides’ prospects in the games.
Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says the Super Eagles must be at their best to finish top of their group.
According to the draws, the West Africans, who have represented Africa at six World Cups, were pitted against Cape Verde, Central African Republic and Liberia in Group C.
“We have three tricky opponents in Group C. A few years ago, Cape Verde were Africa’s best FIFA ranked team, CAR have some good players in Europe,” he said, as per Super Eagles Twitter.
“We played a friendly in Liberia recently that wasn’t easy…we’ve to be at our best against them.”
Kenya coach Francis Kimanzi says the draw, which pitched the Harambee Stars in Group E alongside neighbours Uganda, Mali and Rwanda, is fair.
“The draw is fair to us but that doesn’t mean we relax and sit back. Football results are got on the pitch and even Rwanda, who are seen as underdogs in the group, can pull a surprise and qualify,” Kimanzi told Nation Sport.
“Rwanda and Uganda are our neighbours and this is good for us in terms of traveling logistics and planning arrangements. It is only Mali which is far, but we will cope with the away fixture as we have done in the past against Northern Africa and West Africa teams,” added Kimanzi.
Coach of Togo national team Claude Le Roy also offered his reaction to the Sparrow Hawks’ qualification draw.
As reported by Ducor Sports, Togo have been pitted against Senegal, Congo and Namibia in Group H for the big battle of Qatar 2022.
“Senegal and Congo are teams that I have already led. I think I know them well. I’ve already played against Namibia in the international competition qualifiers. Senegal is the big favorite of the group, but behind, there will be a fight … We know there is only one qualified per group. But in six matches, there may be surprises,” said the experience gaffer.
“Senegal are the favorites to proceed from this group but the favorites are made to be beaten,” he added.
Ghana head coach, CK Akonnor, said after the draw that the Black Stars were “comfortable” with their pool, which pits them against South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia in Group G.
“We know all the teams South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia will do their bit to get there but we will put in hard work and we know that hard work pays,” he said.
“The last one we went to was in Brazil, we didn’t qualify for the last one and we are hoping and believing that this is the time for us to be back there.
“But it is important for us to put in hard work. It is the desire for all the teams to qualify but we will put a lot of work in the desire to qualify,” added the former Asante Kotoko coach.
Guinea coach Didier Six says nothing is impossible after draw which pits them against Morocco, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan in Group I of the qualifiers.
“I think we’re going to get out of it. It is Morocco that most fear in this group. We are outsiders. Do not forget also that there are two additional teams who will also be competitive in this fight for first place,” Six said.
Mozambique coach Luis Goncalves says it will be difficult to come out on top of their Group D which also has Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Malawi.
“It is quite difficult, but I do not consider it naturally impossible and we will do everything for everything to qualify, be optimistic and do our best to achieve the goal, ”the Portuguese manager told STV.
The first round of group games will begin in October 2020 and finish in October 2021, prior to a final round of play-offs in November 2021.
Only the 10 group winners will progress to the final play-off round, where two-legged ties will decide Africa’s five World Cup representatives.
